News

by Issa A. Mansaray Contributing Writer Twin Cities Somalis’ business and educational pursuits inspire visitors Minnesota is home to about 25,000 Somalis, about half of the more than 50,000 Somalis in Sweden. The Somalis are considered one of that country’s largest refugee populations. Harald Fredriksson, manager and council member of the Southern Småland Region, said […]

By Vickie Evans-Nash Contributing Writer On Tuesday, November 2, Major Topps, Jr., a well-known North Minneapolis community member and advocate for youth and adults alike in furthering their education, passed away. MSR spoke with family members Sharon Pierson, his sister, and son Major Topps III, who were not surprised by the number of people who […]

Parents, students and community members last week successfully caused the Minneapolis School Board and superintendent to change their minds and allow North High School to stay open to new students next year. However, the victory comes with a caveat. The North Side community, principally the Committee to Save North High, has been challenged to recruit […]

By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Current all-White membership must undergo significant change to fairly represent the city’s diversity Every 10 years, Minneapolis redraws its political boundaries based on the census count. When the next redistricting, as it is called, takes place in 2012, the task will for the first time fall to the Minneapolis Charter […]

By Charles Hallman Staff Writer But shift in political winds could stall progress Putting students first is among the most important things to be done if ever the Black-White student achievement gap is to be closed, several education professionals and advocates agreed at a recent public exchange of ideas on the subject. Higher Ground Academy […]

Membership in Congressional Black Caucus uncertain Election Day victories for two Black Republicans raise a rare question in the House of Representatives in the 112th Congress: How will two African American members of the Grand Old Party interact with the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC)? Fourteen Black Republicans ran for Congress in the Nov. 2 mid-term […]

The midterm elections resulted in increased racial and ethnic minority diversity in the U.S. Congress, including expanded African American representation in the House and the election of increased minority representation from both political parties. Sadly, the new Congress will be without any African Americans in the U.S. Senate, although there will be a newly elected […]

By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Black college graduation rates lag well behind Whites’ in Minnesota Minnesota’s Black-White achievement gap extends well beyond the state’s high schools into its post-secondary schools, a 2010 report shows. The combined graduation rates after six years of college at seven Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) for Black students who […]

By Charles Hallman Staff Writer According to the NCAA Graduation Success Rate (GSR) report released October 27, the U of M claimed a record-high 79 percent graduation rate (GSR) for its student-athletes, which matches the 79 percent national GSR for Division I student-athletes. However, a closer analysis by the MSR of GSR data on the […]

By Issa A. Mansaray Contributing Writer Many express disappointment; all are hopeful Although Malians make up one of the smallest West African communities in the Twin Cities, many do not know each other. Many of them are students, and most live in St. Cloud according to Moussa Diawara, president of the Minnesota Malian Association. “Compared […]

By Charles Hallman Staff Writer The causes are many, the cure unclear Violence in North Minneapolis has been on a steady rise over the past several years. A report on this violence recently made public offers some sobering numbers: According to Minneapolis police figures, 47 percent of the city’s homicides in 2006 took place on […]

By Charles Hallman Staff Writer The DFL candidate for governor responds to Black issues Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Mark Dayton last week met with the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder editorial board. During the question-and-answer session at the MSR offices October 20, Dayton addressed several key issues and topics, beginning with why Blacks in Minnesota should vote for him […]

By Vickie Evans-Nash Staff Writer Editor emeritus of Essence spreads words of inspiration As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, this past Saturday, October 23, the Minnesota-based African American Breast Cancer Alliance (AABCA) celebrated its 20th year with a Shinning Star Gala held Oct. 23 at the Hilton Garden Inn in St. Paul. Founded in […]

By Titilayo Bediako Contributing Writer An interview with Rebecca Gagnon (RG) MSR: Why do you want to be a member of the Minneapolis Public School Board? RG: I’m an extremely involved parent of three children. I’m part of three different district advisory groups. I don’t think that parent involvement in Minneapolis is appreciated. In Minneapolis, […]

By Titilayo Bediako Contributing Writer An interview with T. Williams (TW) MSR: When you first ran for school board, what was your platform? TW: I was interested in improving the relationship between the district and the community, promoting a community engagement strategy to learn more about what the respective assets were and how to use […]

By Titilayo Bediako Contributing Writer An interview with Chanda Smith Baker (CSB) MSR: Why do you want to be a member of the Minneapolis Public School Board? CSB: It’s the only elected office I considered seriously running for. My uncle, Richard Green, a great former superintendent, really influenced me to service. I see a real […]

By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Accusations fly as to how the venerable school got in such bad shape To many, Minneapolis Public Schools Superintendent Bernadeia Johnson’s recommendation to phase out North High School in three years finally confirmed a long-standing rumor that a “systemic” plan to close the city’s oldest high school had already been […]

By Cynthia Boyd Contributing Writer Gregory Ellis starts his days at the front desk of People Serving People (PSP), a multi-story brownstone near the Metrodome that offers shelter to homeless families. It’s there he picks up his family’s daily quota of diapers, 10, as well as juice and milk, enough to tide three kids over […]

By Vickie Evans-Nash Staff Writer Sheila Raye Charles, born Sheila Jean Robinson, spent much of her life surrounded by the rich and famous. Charles, vocalist and daughter of the late and legendary Ray Charles, also focused her life on the entertainment industry. Using her vocal talents, she went on tour with well-known entertainment groups such […]

By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Building renovation, business development, use of minority contractors are the nonprofit’s priorities While driving around the city’s North Side a few years ago, Stuart Ackerberg asked himself why the area did not enjoy the same economic vitality as other parts of Minneapolis. The owner and CEO of the Ackerberg Group […]